He looked hopeful. I hated what I had to tell him.

"What kind of trust?"

"A living trust. Her lawyer set it up."

I exhaled slowly. "A revocable living trust?"

"I think so. Yes."

"That doesn't protect it. Not from Medicaid."

The Problem

A revocable living trust is invisible to Medicaid. The state sees right through it. Mom still controlled the assets. They're still hers.

What Works

To protect a house from Medicaid, you generally need an irrevocable trust. And it needs to be set up five years before applying for Medicaid.

Five years. That's the look-back period.

Six months was not five years.

The Takeaway

Plan early. The window is longer than people think. Until suddenly it isn't.

Many families assume a living trust will shield their home from nursing home costs. But without the right type of trust and enough time, that protection simply doesn't exist.

If you're thinking about Medicaid planning, start the conversation with an elder law attorney now.

If you're thinking about your will, your assets, or what happens to your property when you pass away, understanding the difference between revocable and irrevocable trusts is essential.

Watch the Full Chat

Watch our full conversation below. Or watch it directly on our YouTube channel.

What's a Revocable Trust?

The main purpose of any trust is to help you avoid probate. When you set up a revocable trust, you maintain control. You can change it whenever you want. You're in charge while you're living, and you own everything in the trust. It's flexible and straightforward. Most people start here when they begin estate planning.

What's an Irrevocable Trust?

An irrevocable trust is the opposite. Once you set it up, it's set in stone. You can't revoke it or change it later. That sounds limiting, but there are real reasons people choose this route.

We use irrevocable trusts primarily for Medicaid planning. If you're thinking ahead to potential nursing home care, moving assets like real estate into an irrevocable trust can protect them and help you plan strategically for long-term care costs.

We also use them for asset protection. If your assets are in an irrevocable trust, they're protected from creditors, lawsuits, divorce, and other threats. For high-net-worth families, we occasionally use them for estate tax planning, though that's less common now with higher exemptions.

Special needs planning is another important use. If you have a child or adult with special needs, a special needs trust allows you to provide for them without disqualifying them from government benefits like Medicaid or disability.

What About Deeds?

Almost every estate plan involves some sort of deed work. You might be transferring property into your trust or using something called a beneficiary deed.

A beneficiary deed is one of my favorite tools. Here's how it works. You own the property while you're living. But on the deed, you name someone who will receive that property when you pass away. The benefit is simple. It avoids probate, keeps you out of the court system, and can provide protections from long-term care costs.

There are other deeds too. Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds. Each serves a purpose depending on your situation.

Why We Specialize in Estate Planning

Every lawyer chooses a specialty. I chose estate planning because it's complicated. To do it right, you have to think about it every day. You have to stay current on the law. You have to execute it properly. That's why L. Jennings Law focuses exclusively on estate planning and related services.

That depth of focus matters. It means when you call us, you're talking to someone who thinks about this stuff constantly. Not someone who dabbles in wills on the side.

Our Stewardship Philosophy

At the heart of what we do is a simple principle. Good stewardship of what you've been given.

Estate planning isn't about avoiding taxes or being clever. It's about doing the best with what you have. It's about making sure your assets are managed wisely, your family is protected, and your legacy reflects your values.

That's why we call ourselves a stewardship firm.

How to Reach Us

If you have questions about trusts, deeds, or any aspect of estate planning, reach out.

Our main office is in Magnolia on Main Street, and we also have an office in Little Rock.

You can call us at 501-501-9455 to book an appointment. Our office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day.

When you call, you'll likely talk to Emily Short, our front desk coordinator, who handles all appointments. We have a team here, including Linda Goodner as our director of operations, Seth helping with the phones and behind-the-scenes work, and Cordell, another attorney who works part-time in our Magnolia office.

If you need a will or trust, we can handle it. Just don't call us if you get arrested.

At L. Jennings Law, we focus on the Family Wealth System, specifically designed for young families.

It helps you avoid probate, name guardians for your children, and build a financial legacy that lasts across generations.

Full Video

I made a full YouTube video talking about this. You may watch this below, or watch it directly on our channel.

5 Documents Every Adult Needs

Everyone over 18 needs five basic documents:

• Financial Power of Attorney: Allows a trusted person to manage your finances if you are incapacitated
• Healthcare Power of Attorney: Allows a trusted person to make medical decisions on your behalf
• HIPAA Authorization: Gives them access to your medical records
• Living Will: Specifies your medical treatment preferences
• Last Will and Testament: Names permanent guardians and instructs the court on dividing your property

A Will Does Not Avoid Probate

Many people assume that having a will is enough. It is not. A will actually guarantees your estate must go through probate. Here is what that means:

• Time: Probate can last six months to two years
• Cost: Legal fees typically run 2 to 6 percent of the estate value
• Privacy: Because probate is a court proceeding, your private family matters become part of the public record

Why a Trust Is More Powerful

A revocable living trust is the cornerstone of a strong estate plan. Unlike a will, a trust keeps your estate out of the court system and allows for a fast, private transfer of assets.

Setting one up involves two steps: signing the documents and funding the trust by placing your assets into it. While you are living, you keep full control. If you become incapacitated, a backup trustee steps in immediately with no court-led guardianship required.

Protecting Your Children

Without a plan, children receive their inheritance outright at age 18. That can be dangerous. The Family Wealth System lets you set higher age requirements and even build in a training period. For example, your child acts as co-trustee at 25 to learn how to manage the money, then takes full control at 30.

This structure also protects the inheritance from:

• Creditors
• Lawsuits
• Future divorces

Making Your Money Last

Effective planning means building income you cannot outlive and wealth that passes to the next generation. Over the last 30 years, the U.S. stock market has averaged about 9 percent annually. Time is your greatest ally against inflation.

For families in their building years, term life insurance is an affordable way to make sure your children are provided for if something happens to you.

Reducing Your Tax Burden

Arkansas has no estate tax, and the federal exemption is currently around $15 million. Even so, capital gains taxes can still take a significant bite. A few tools that help:

• Step-up in basis: A trust allows heirs to inherit assets at their value on the date of death, not the original purchase price, eliminating capital gains
• Roth IRA: One of the best assets to pass on, since growth and withdrawals are completely tax-free for your children

Start Protecting Your Family Today

The Family Wealth System gives you a clear framework to protect your family at every stage of life. A revocable living trust, combined with the right powers of attorney, keeps your estate out of probate, ensures your children are raised by people you choose, and shields your wealth from outside risks.

Estate planning is about being a good steward of what you have built. It requires working with a qualified expert who understands both the law and financial strategy.

Book a free initial consultation with L. Jennings Law to begin designing a personalized plan for your family.

This recognition means a lot to me, not because of the accolade itself, but because it reflects the values and principles that guide my work every day.

Read full article here.

Faith as Foundation

When people ask what makes my practice different, the answer starts with faith. Leaning into my faith and using the Bible as a source of knowledge first has become an integral part of how I serve my clients. This isn't about imposing my beliefs on anyone. It's about bringing a values-based framework to decisions that matter.

When you're helping a family navigate estate planning, wealth management, or tax strategy, you're not just moving numbers around. You're helping them think about legacy, stewardship, and what they want to pass on. Faith grounds that work in something deeper than optimization alone.

Disciplined Consistency and Long-Term Thinking

I also believe in disciplined consistency and long-term thinking as foundational to durable outcomes. Personal growth, family strength, and business success don't happen by accident. They require intentional choices, repeated over time, aligned with your values.

That's why I work with families and business owners to build plans they can actually live with. Not complex schemes they'll abandon. Real strategies that integrate their legal, tax, wealth, and personal goals into one coherent approach.

Helping Clients Think Clearly and Plan Wisely

If I could be remembered for one thing, it would be this: I helped families think clearly, plan wisely, and leave their family and community stronger.

That's the goal. Not the biggest portfolio or the most complex structure. But real clarity about what matters, real plans that reflect your values, and real results that make your family and community better.

Beyond Business

My deepest commitment is to be a devoted follower of faith who leads my family with purpose and raises children committed to both spiritual devotion and productive citizenship. Everything else flows from that.

This recognition from Arkansas Money and Politics is a reminder that when you show up authentically, bringing your whole self to your work, people notice. More importantly, it motivates me to keep doing the work the right way.

Thank you to everyone who has trusted me with their financial and legal planning. I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve.